[Flash] Bill Gates Credits Mentoring For His Accomplishments

1. Your life isn’t a one-act play.
“Not only is it okay to change your mind, reinvent yourself, or have a second career, it can be a good thing.”

2. You’re never too smart to be confused.
“…the first step to learning something new is leaning into what you don’t know instead of focusing on what you do know.”

3. Gravitate toward work that solves a problem.
“…spend your days doing something that solves a big problem – it energizes you to do your best work. It forces you to be more creative and gives your life a stronger sense of purpose.”

4. Don’t underestimate the power of friendship.
“When I was in school, I became friends with Paul Allen – and we started Microsoft together.”

5. You are not a slacker if you cut yourself some slack.
“…there is more to life than work. Take time to nurture your relationships. To celebrate your successes. And to recover from your losses. Take a break when you need to.”

But peppered into this sage advice, Gates shared a reverence for mentoring.

He suggested that we learn best from others who are a little further along than us – mentors!

Gates expounded, “Find smart people to learn from. It could be:

• a colleague with more experience
• one of your fellow graduates who has a good perspective and will push you to think differently
• an expert in the field willing to reply to your questions over DM.”

Gates revealed that almost everything he accomplished happened because he sought out others who knew more than he did – mentors!
[Are you mentor-able? Find out! Read “The Secret to Finding a Mentor“]

“People want to help you. The key is not to be afraid to ask. Your fellow graduates are your network – your best sources of support, information, and advice.”

And he’s right! According to research by Stanford University social psychologist Xuan Zhao, people feel good – even happy – when they can help others.
[Are you ready to help when someone asks? Read “How to Mentor in 3s“]

And then Gates concluded his remarks with, “The only thing more valuable than what you walk offstage with today is who you walk onstage with.”

And if graduation is a distant memory, consider… the only thing more valuable than what you stand up is whose shoulders you stand on in the process.

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